IF FREEMASONRY IS NOT A RELIGION, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE A RELIGION TO JOIN?

Otherwise no obligation could be considered binding upon him. No atheists allowed.

Quote:

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members a belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual's dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings.

Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion:

It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy.

It offers no sacraments.

It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation.

Freemasonry is not a religion, but you can't join unless you're a Christian because otherwise no obligation could be considered binding upon him.

Did you even read what I said before about it's open to ALL religions, not just Christian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAngel

No atheists are allowed, I guess, cause Freemasonry isn't a religion.

Did you even take a look at the quoted box I posted? I'll post it again:

Quote:

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members a belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual's dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings.

Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion:

It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy

It offers no sacraments.

It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation.

THE POINT IS THAT FREEMASONRY IS NOT A RELIGION, BUT ONE MUST BE A RELIGION TO JOIN.

Apparently, you can't explain that one.

I guess I'll put more clearly:

Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members a belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual's dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings.

Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion:

It has no dogma or theology, no wish or means to enforce religious orthodoxy

It offers no sacraments.

It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge, or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition, not with the means of salvation.

I didn't say they hoodwinked anyone into believing they were of a particular religion.

You were saying?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAngel

They've just hoodwinked you into believing they're of the Christian sort.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAngel

I SAID that FREEMASONRY states they are not a religion, but one must be a religion to become a member.

HYPOCRITICAL.

In your opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueAngel

I said they've hoodwinked you into believing they are a religion because you must be a religion to join and no atheists are allowed, so, therefore, everyone believes in GOD, so therefore you think it's a religion, but they are of a different religion.

That's why we use phrases like "Supreme (or Grand) Architect of the Universe".

However, many members of mainstream FreeMasonry feel that allowing Athiests goes against the principles of Masonry, since it originally did, and still does, encourage people to follow and grow in their religion.